Turkish Cypriots say Eroğlu will win presidency, poll shows

A public opinion poll carried out in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) by Greek Cypriot newspaper Simerini has revealed that 50.1 percent of Turkish Cypriots believe current KKTC Prime Minister Derviş Eroğlu will win the presidential elections slated for April.

The results of the daily’s survey, which was carried out between Dec. 22 and 27 through phone calls to 505 people in the KKTC, were published in the Sunday and Monday editions of the newspaper. When asked about the possible winner of April’s presidential elections in KKTC, 50.1 percent of Turkish Cypriots said National Unity Party (UBP) leader Eroğlu would be elected to the top state post, while 24 percent said current President Mehmet Ali Talat will be re-elected. Of those surveyed, 17.8 percent declined to answer the question, while 8.1 percent said “another presidential nominee” will take the presidency.

According to the survey results, there is a general pessimism among Turkish Cypriots about a peace deal being achieved by Talat and his Greek counterpart, Dimitris Christofias, as 84.6 percent believe no such deal will be reached. Only 13.7 percent of the Turkish Cypriots said they believe that the KKTC and Greek leaders will strike a peace deal.